Physics 160 Biomechanics
Julie Alexander, B.Sc., M.Sc., Ph.D.
General information
Office Hours
• M, T, W, Th 12:30-1:30
Email:
• [email protected]
Office phone:
• 250-370-4437
Web Page:
• http://web.uvic.ca/~jalexndr
Chapter 1:
What is Biomechanics?
Basic Biomechanics, 5th edition
Susan J. Hall
Objectives
• Define basic concepts in Biomechanics
• Provide an overview of the sport, clinical, and
occupational applications of biomechanics.
What is Biomechanics?
Mechanics
• Study of the action of forces on particles and mechanical
systems; a branch of physics
Bio• Prefix for “life” or “living organism”
Biomechanics
• Application of the principles of mechanics to the study of living
organisms (e.g. the human body and its parts)
Kinesiology
• Scientific study of human movement
• Biomechanics is a sub discipline of
kinesiology
1-2
Sports Medicine
• Clinical and scientific aspects of sports and
exercise
• Biomechanics is a specific branch of sports
medicine
1-3
Subdivisions of Mechanics
Kinematics
• The description of motion as a
function of space and time
• The forces causing the motion
are not considered
Kinetics
• The relationship between the
forces acting on a system and
the motion of the system
Branches of Mechanics
Statics
• Deals with systems in a constant state of
motion;
• Includes systems that are:
• – at rest (i.e. not moving)
• – moving with a constant speed and
direction
Dynamics
• Deals with systems in which acceleration
is present
• (i.e. where speed or direction is not
constant)
Kinetics of Squat
Kinetics of the Foot
Who Uses Biomechanics?
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Phys.Ed. Teachers
Coaches
Athletes
Personal Trainers
Athletic Trainers
Physicians
Physical Therapists
Occupational Therapists
Engineers
Researchers
What is Biomechanics Used For?
Maintaining Physical Function
• – (e.g. reducing injurious falls by
older adults; preventing bone loss
in space)
Improving Musculoskeletal Health
• – (e.g. increasing peak bone
mass)
Improving Mobility
• – (e.g. surgery planning in
Cerebral Palsy)
Product Design
• – (e.g. athletic shoes, prosthetics)
Forensic Biomechanics
• – (e.g. accident investigation)
Implant Products
•
•
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Shoulder
Hip
Wrist
Finger
Elbow
Knee
Ankle
Why study biomechanics?
Improve performance
• Technique analysis
• Equipment design
• Training
Prevent injury and
improve rehabilitation
Technique Changes and Sport
Biomechanics
•
revolutionary technique changes
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back-layout high jump
spin shot put
V-style ski jump
skate skiing
grab-start (swimming)
pole vaulting (fibreglass
poles)
Sports Engineering
•
mechanical innovations:
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rowing (sliding seats, riggings)
bicycles (disc wheels, suspensions)
wheelchairs (4 to 3 wheels)
footware
clothing
helmets
klapskate
Implements
•
Racquet sports
– stringing
– materials
– racquet shape
•
Batting sports
– materials (aluminum vs. wood)
– composites (corking)
– inertial properties
•
Paddling sports
– material properties
– shape/structure
– fluid dynamics
Ergometers/Simulators
• Treadmills
– ski
– instrumented with force platforms
• Ergometers
– bicycle
– rowing
– swim
• Instrumented exercise machines
– Cybex, KinCom, Biodex
– bicycle cranks
Clothing
• Aerodynamics
The seaming in the suit
was pushed to the front of
the uniform to create the
most aerodynamic garment
possible. The Nike
innovation team estimates
that the hood helps
eliminate drag by 3 per
cent. This is the equivalent
to eight feet in a 2000
metre race.
Surfaces
• Modern track surfaces use a mix of
plastic rubbers combined with other
plastic binders or with solid
polyurethane, which is then glued to
the ground like carpeting.
• tunable surfaces (stiff for sprinting,
softer for distances)
• variable banking of tracks (athletics
and cycling)
– flat for 10 000 metres
– 15% grade for 200 m
• “pitcher’s mounds” at high, long and
triple jumps
Footwear
• Injury prevention
• Traction (temporarily glue
shoe or sole of shoe or
“spikes” to foot)
• Energy storage/release
shoes (springs)
• Reducing energy
absorption
• Skates (what’s beyond the
klapskate?)
• Ski boots/bindings
(microprocessor controlled)
• Computer monitoring of
race by shoe
Which phrase best defines
biomechanics?
A) The scientific study of human movement
B) The science of the structure of the body
C) The application of the laws of mechanics to
animate motion
D) The study of characteristics of motion from a
spatial and temporal perspective without
reference to the forces causing the motion.